Taos

We had delightful visits from Luke and Kate from Indiana ( friends of D & K ) and Martha and Dick from Atlanta. Sadly no pics of any of them. Martha was a star in skinning up to Gwyns with us for breakfast one morning and then x country skiing with M up to Pine Creek Cookhouse on another day.

Aggravatingly I tore a calf muscle on Upper Green Cabin and this is the result. Ice pack for a day, but afforded chance for much needed practice to keep up with Mary's progress under the skilled tutelage of dear Heidi. Note the Amazing Slowdowner facility on our Apple in background that gives facility of accompaninent at whatever tempo you want.

 Not serious enough though to stop the weekly hikes to summit of Highlands Bowl with Peter and as ever a brilliant ski down.

 We left Snowmass after work for both of us on Sat evening at 4 and got to Poncha Springs 4  hours or so later via Minturn and Leadville. A fabulous little motel there with an excellent Italian restauraunt next door.  Left there by 6 the next morning and had breakfast at this recommended cafe in Alamosa.

 Taos by 11 and skiing by 11.30 thanks to generous discounted lift tickets left out for us by Dadou. This is at bottom of chairlift with the St Bernard owned and managed by Dadou's brother Jean where we were royally entertained.

 Built and run very much as a French style ski lodge. This was the table M & I were placed at in the evening for a superb dinner with a delightful family from New York.  Jean personally came out  to "present" each course describing in French the ingredients.  He and his brother Dadou ( who works there when not private ski instructing ) that we have got to know so well are legends from the pioneering days of skiing in New Mexico. 

 Dadou's house outside the historic town of Taos some 20 minutes drive from the ski resort and where we stayed for 2 nights. The perfect host.

 In addition to being an incredible skier ( ex French ski team ), instructor, chef, and who in his earlier days built houses and owned/ran hotels,  he grows his own coffee beans in Hawaii.

 Looking up to Kanchina Peak. Approached by an hour's hike along the ridge from the right.  Next time ... !

 A typical run on the ' back side ' of the mountain, Mary displaying Dadou's edging & weight back technique.

 The St Bernard Hotel right at the bottom of the main lift.

 After a good breakfast in Taos, we drove back via the Great Sand Dunes National Park and the  Rio Grande river gorge, lunch in Salida and back in Snowmass by 7. Almost 8 hours of driving ,  but stunning scenery for almost the whole journey passing under at least 8 of Colorado's 50 odd 14er peaks

 A great 3 day trip.  Thank you Dadou for all your kindnesses. To New Mexico we shall return.